Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorders affect children and adolescents who worry frequently when they are not from their parents, caregivers or other important people. They might also worry about the negative consequences of separation, such as getting lost or injured.

Psychotherapy and medications can be used to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorder. The child is taught to approach the fearful situations slowly, and with confidence.

Signs and symptoms

While some anxiety about being separated from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people much more intensely anxious than other people when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiving figures. People suffering from this disorder fear that their family member could be the victim of a tragic event if they are separated. This could mean getting lost or becoming sick. They might also be afraid of other scenarios that could separate them from their loved ones, for example, being kidnapped or being involved in a car accident.

The first signs of this anxiety disorder typically begins in the earliest years of life, however adults can be affected at any age. It isn't known what causes separation anxiety in adults however it could be caused by significant life changes or prior mental health issues like depression or PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might be overly dependent on their children or romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Others may see them as excessively demanding and clingy.

This condition is marked by a high level of anxiety when a person is separated from their family, a significant amount of distress when away from home or at work, and recurrent dreams of separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling or other activities that require a physical separation from their families, like going to school. Children with this condition may experience physical problems like stomach pains when they are worried about being alone.

To diagnose this disorder, medical professionals will inquire about your your child's past and current symptoms. They will also inquire about your family, and other relationships, to see how you've dealt with separation anxiety before.

Treatment for this disorder consists of talking therapy and, in some cases, medication. Your therapist will show you and your children how to cope with the fears. They can help you and your child to understand how to handle separations in a step by procedure. Medications can help to calm the mind and relax the body, which can help ease your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder can cause people to experience extreme anxiety when they are away from their home or attachment figures. Unlike normal fear and worry that people generally feel these symptoms disorder are persistent, often lasting more than four weeks for children and more than six months in adults. They cause major disruption to the daily routine and functioning at school and m strategies and education to strengthen their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder can be diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess persists throughout the elementary school years, and is associated with physical symptoms and interferes in daily activities. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service, separation anxiety disorder is the most frequent anxiety disorder diagnosed in kids, affecting up to 4 percent of them, with an age at onset of 7 years old.

Your child's healthcare provider will perform a thorough exam to rule out any physical problems that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical issues are discovered the healthcare provider of your child will refer them to a mental health professional with experience in treating anxiety disorders. This could be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is typically the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will work with your child to help them learn healthy ways of managing their feelings, increasing confidence in themselves and their independence, and building resilience. The therapist will educate parents on how they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. The use of medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed along with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder social anxiety.

The therapist will determine the best medication for social anxiety disorder treatment plan for your child based on their individual needs. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, for example, may benefit from a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This means gradually expose your child to situations that trigger anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they feel comfortable.

Often, children with separation anxiety disorder improve as they grow older and their symptoms decrease. However, some adults may experience symptoms of separation disorder throughout their adult lives. It can be challenging for them keep relationships going or to achieve certain career goals, such as returning to school or moving to work. Adults suffering from separation anxiety disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions like other types of anxiety disorders, depression, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of substance use disorders.

The following is a list with preventions.

Separation anxiety is common among many children. For some, separation anxiety can be a serious issue that interferes in their lives and prevents them from participating in the activities they enjoy. Consult a mental health professional if your child's anxiety is affecting their daily routine.

Children with separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other major family members. They are constantly worried about being snatched away or lost or that an accident could cause them to lose the people closest to themselves. They might be having a difficult time falling asleep alone at night, or they might refuse to go to school, camp, or play dates without their parents.

Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child are present for at least four weeks. The healthcare provider can interview both the child and the parents in a separate session to obtain the complete picture. They might ask questions about anxiety disorders or changes in the life such as family history and life events that might have triggered the separation anxiety.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation differs by the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children express their anxiety through worrying about their attachment figures. For example they might be worried that their parents might be in a car crash or be attacked by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently dismissed by them.

Behavioral therapy is a typical treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and teaching them to recognize and control their anxieties. In some cases the combination of therapies is used, including medication and cognitive therapy.

It's important for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Children need to understand that their parents' pleas not to leave them are not valid. They will only be able to improve if they receive clear, unambiguous boundaries and assistance in conquering their fears.